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fruits are pleasant to eat, are excellent for cooking and preserving, and 

 they are turned to good account by drying. An excellent wine can also 

 be made from the berries of any of the species. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



Huckleberries can only be cultivated successfully in the colder parts of 

 Australasia, and they are specially suitable for alpine regions. In suitable 

 localities they are well deserving of attention, as the plants are prolific, 

 require but comparatively little care, and a demand for the fruit is 

 certain wherever it is known. Then again, as the berries are firm they 

 stand package and carriage better than many other small fruits, and can 

 be sent long distances to market without difficulty. Provided the climate 

 is suitable, Huckleberries will adapt themselves to a variety of soils, and 

 while some of the species are found growing naturally in swamps there 

 are others that are indigenous to high and dry ground. Cultivators of 

 this fruit must, therefore, in making a selection of kinds, give the 

 preference to those species that are likely to be best adapted for the local 

 conditions. In making a plantation the plants should be arranged in 

 rows, allowing them to stand from nine to twelve feet apart, according to 

 the growth of the species used. But little pruning is required except to 

 keep the plants shapely. Propagation may be easily effected by seeds, 

 which, however, being very small, require some care in treatment. They 

 should be sown thinly in finely-prepared soil, covering them about a 

 quarter of an inch deep. It will be advisable to afford the protection of a 

 frame or box, so as to avoid risk from heavy rains, sun, and wind. The 

 following season the young plants may be planted out. They will come 

 into bearing in three or four years. Plants, however, are most readily 

 obtained from layers, which should be put down early in the spring. 



SPECIES. 



The fruits of various species vary to some extent in colour, shape, and 

 quality, but all are palatable and useful. The following list includes the 

 leading American species : 



Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia resin osa). A deciduous low shrub 

 growing to the height of three or four feet. It is indigenous to North 

 Eastern America, and grows naturally in swampy ground. Fruit black, 

 without bloom, and has a pleasant flavour. 



nine Danqleberry (Gat/lnssaeia frondosa). A deciduous species 

 growing from four to six feet high, indigenous to North Eastern America, 

 and found in swampy land. Fruit dark blue, covered with a thick bloom, 

 sweet and pleasant. 



Canadian Blueberry ( Vnccinium Canadense). This species is widely 

 distributed through the North Eastern portion of the United States and 

 Canada, its habitat being low-lying ground. It is a dwarf deciduous 

 shrub, very hardy and prolific. The berries are blue, very large, and 

 possess a somewhat aromatic flavour. This is a popular kind for cooking, 

 preserving, and drying. 



